Sierra Calhoun scored 21 points for the Boros in a 74-65 loss to the Burbs in the Metro Classib.Denis Gostev

Some of the best girls basketball players from the city faced off against their counterparts from Long Island and the Hudson Valley in the eighth annual Metro Classic on Sunday, and although the winning team received nothing more than bragging rights, it was played with the intensity of a state championship game.

“It was a really physical game out there,” said Rock Rosa, coach of the Boros, the city team. “These girls really tried their hardest to win.”

After a first quarter in which the Boros only scored nine points, the city girls tried to climb back into the game, and even led 38-37 at halftime. But they were denied by St. Anthony’s Rebecca Musgrove and the rest ofher Burbss team. Musgrove finished with 15 points and seven rebounds on her way to MVP honors, as the Burb’ defeated the Boros, 74-65, at Archbishop Molloy in Queens.

“It was such an honor to play with and against such great players. Everyone deserved to play in this game,” Musgrove said. “I didn’t expect to be the MVP of the game with all the great teammates I have. I’m proud of how everyone played.”

The St. Anthony’s standout knocked down two early 3-pointers to give her team a commanding 20-9 lead at the end of the first quarter and also hit two clutch jumpers with six minutes left in the fourth as the Boros team attempted to make a comeback, leading to a game clinching 7-1 run for the Burbs.

Had the Borospulled off the comeback victory, the obvious choice for game MVP would have been Christ the King guard Sierra Calhoun. Only a sophomore, she buried shot after shot on her way to a stellar game against strong competition. Already receiving interest from top Division I programs such as Connecticut, Tennessee and Maryland, Calhoun believes that her performance in the Metro Classic will only help her down the line.

“I wanted to use this game against those girls to prepare for my high school season,” she said. “I have many strengths in my game, but I feel like I didn’t get to use many because we didn’t get to practice and learn about each other before today.”

The Burbs were able to practice five times as a team, while Sunday was the first time the Boros team stepped on a court together.

“Getting dominated on the boards was a huge factor, but I feel like not practicing resulted in not having much chemistry on the court,” Rosa said. “They had plays and we didn’t. It took us until the second quarter to relax, but I’m really happy with how the girls persevered and rallied back.”

“Today was great, but I can’t wait to get back playing with Christ the King,” Calhoun added. “It’s time to focus on basketball.”